If it were just 'plastic and aluminium', that's fine, but in using Chinese as an adjective against Chicago in a sentence, then I reckon you are comparing two products or manufacturing techniques/materials/quality standards by 'race', and then yes, that's certainly racist :-( To me, bad quality is universal, but then equally, so is good quality. I own a Japanese Wista, which I love, but I would equally love a Chinese Chamonix, a French Arca-Swiss, or a US Deardorff - having played with them all, they are all beautiful cameras with different charms... Deardorff's are great, but then, read the lengthy thread on the LF forum about the current company and the messy dealings some (not all) customers have had with them. No-one's perfect.

Marc!

First off, identifying the location of origin is NOT racist. Get off your PC high horse. He was comparing two products or manufacturing techniques/materials/quality standards by location and perceived manufacturing standards. One happens to have been made in Chicago, one in his opinion, made to inferior standards in China. Oh my gosh, like that would ever happen? Go down to Walmart and see for yourself. I heard nothing about race in that sentence.

And second, no one said anything about buying a NEW Deardorff. Why anyone in the world would buy a new LF camera is beyond me. And no one who owns an old Deardorff would ever expect any service from the new company.